u redu
The English phrase 'ok' can be translated into Croatian as u redu.
u redu is used to acknowledge something or to show acceptance.
Meaning: acknowledgement or acceptance (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase u redu literally translates to 'in order' or 'in an ordered state'.
Which one should you use?
Use u redu when you want to express agreement or confirm that a situation is acceptable. In contrast, the word dobro (which means good or well) is often used more broadly to mean 'fine' or 'good'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While u redu is the standard way to say 'ok', the English loanword ok is extremely common in informal, spoken Croatian. For a more formal tone, you may use U redu.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Dalmatia, people use Ma dobro instead of Dobro to say 'OK'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'it is ok' or 'it is fine' as a complete sentence, you add the verb je (is) to the phrase, resulting in u redu je.
Did you know?
- While u redu means 'ok' in a social sense, it also describes a physical line of people waiting for something, such as a 'queue' in English.
- In the coastal region of Dalmatia, adding the particle ma to dobro changes the nuance from a simple 'ok' to a more dismissive or emphatic 'whatever' or 'fine'.
- The word u is a remnant of an ancient Proto-Slavic preposition that has evolved over thousands of years to function as a simple locative marker.
Examples in context
- Mogu li dobiti izvješće do kraja dana?Can I get the report by the end of the day?
- Idemo na plažu danas?Shall we go to the beach today?
- Dobro, to je sjajna ideja!OK, that's a great idea!
- Sve je u redu.Everything is okay.
- To je u redu.That is fine.
Example conversation
Ivana and Mateo are discussing plans for the evening.
- IvanaMožemo li se naći u pet sati?Can we meet at five o'clock?
- MateoDa, to je u redu.Yes, that is fine.
- IvanaVidimo se tada, Mateo.See you then, Mateo.
- MateoU redu, Ivana.Okay, Ivana.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries u, CC BY-SA 4.0.
